By the numbers: Leonard poised to repeat as Defensive...

1of7Kawhi Leonard gets over to block the shot of Terrence Ross as Tim Duncan also reaches on defense as the Spurs play Toronto at the AT&T Center on April 1, 2016.Photo: TOM REEL, STAFF / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

2of7LeBron James stops at the top of the key to size up the defense by Kawhi Leonard as the Spurs host the Cavaliers at the AT&T Center on January 14, 2016.Photo: TOM REEL, STAFF / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

3of7Carmelo Anthony runs into the defense of Kawhi Leonard and Tim Duncan at the hoop as the Spurs host the Knicks at the AT&T Center on January 8, 2016.Photo: TOM REEL, STAFF / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

4of7Kawhi Leonard applies defensive pressure on Zach La Vine in the closing moments as the Spurs host the Minnesota Timberwolves at the AT&T Center on December 28, 2015.Photo: TOM REEL, STAFF / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

5of7Spurs general manager R.C. Buford (from left), Kawhi Leonard, and Kia Motors America vice president Percy Vaughn pose for photos during a press conference where Leonard was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year on April 23, 2015, at the team’s practice facility.Photo: Edward A. Ornelas /San Antonio Express-News

6of7San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan gives teammate Kawhi Leonard the NBA Defensive Player of the Year trophy before the start of the game against the Los Angeles Clippers of Game 3 in the Western Conference playoffs Friday April 24, 2015 at the AT&T Center.Photo: Edward A. Ornelas /San Antonio Express-News

7of7San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan gives teammate Kawhi Leonard the NBA Defensive Player of the Year trophy before the start of the game against the Los Angeles Clippers of Game 3 in the Western Conference playoffs Friday April 24, 2015 at the AT&T Center.Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

Millsap is an under-the-radar contender, the only one of the six to rank in the top five of defensive rating, defensive win shares, and defensive box plus/minus. He's also the only player to rank among the top 15 in steals (1.8) and blocks (1.6).

Whiteside is on pace to average the most blocks (3.75) since Alonzo Mourning in 1998-99 (3.91), and is swatting a league-leading 9.99 percent of shots while he is on the floor.

But the battle will likely come down to Leonard and Green.

They each rank near the top of the league in man-to-man defense; opponents are shooting 5.3 percent worse when guarded by Leonard and 5.8 percent worse when guarded by Green.

Given Leonard's edge in defensive rating and defensive win shares, the Spurs' young star may end up becoming the first repeat winner since Dwight Howard earned his third straight DPOY in 2010-11.